Welcome to TalkGraphics.com
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Central North Carolina
    Posts
    844

    Default Photo sharping/improving in new Xara

    It has been years since I was up on TG as I have not been using the program.

    I have had many Xara programs over the years and the latest I have is Designer ProX. I designed a family web site using my Xara Designer programs.

    Two things have happened - 1- my computer crashed and I lost my Xara web site files. I do have the individual files. 2- Someone hijacked my domain name and I am not able to get it back.

    I need to re-build the site. I can do so using my ProX but was wondering if there have been improvements made by Xara in sharping/improving old photos of which I have a lot?

    Thank you for your time - jb
    - jb

    "A little knowledge is a wonderful thing - sometimes."
    www.brownpotters.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Placitas, New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    41,489

    Default Re: Photo sharping/improving in new Xara

    Wow, you've been through the mill.

    The first thing I always do with photos is use the Photo Tool > Brightness Levels Dialog > Auto. This works especially well with faded photos.

    Then further tweaking the Input levels. Also old photos lose their saturation so increasing the Enhance > Saturation level a small amount can help.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    SW England
    Posts
    17,749

    Default Re: Photo sharping/improving in new Xara

    jeb, sorry you lost your domain - it does need removing from your signature.

    Restoring old photos, up to now, has been an art.

    Xara doesn't do batch work but it does have the simple application of current settings with Ctrl+C (Copy) & Shift+Ctrl+A (Paste Attributes).
    Retouching would usually use the Photo Heal, Clone and magic Erase Tools.

    There are free bitmap products like Krita (Smart Patch) that could also be used but probably has a learning curve.

    If you have 1,000 images that doing these by hand will be tedious.

    Have a look at VanceAI, https://vanceai.com/pricing-for-win/?source=app. It handles tears, scratches and sharpen, all in bulk.
    It costs but you need to trade off against your time and sanity.

    Acorn
    Acorn - installed Xara software: Cloud+/Pro+ and most others back through time (to CC's Artworks). Contact for technical remediation/consultancy for your web designs.
    When we provide assistance, your responses are valuable as they benefit the community. TG Nuggets you might like. Report faults: Xara Cloud+/Pro+/Magix Legacy; Xara KB & Chat

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Melfort, Saskatchewan Canada
    Posts
    994

    Default Re: Photo sharping/improving in new Xara

    Cool program @acorn. Thanks for the link. @jeb you get a couple of freebies to begin with. Pretty impressive actually.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	C27E3C01-AC12-4C00-B814-5544514686B0.jpg 
Views:	24 
Size:	126.6 KB 
ID:	133697  
    Bill Wood
    Charity Web Design
    XARA Pro+. WD17, Designer 17. Premium packages.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Central North Carolina
    Posts
    844

    Default Re: Photo sharping/improving in new Xara

    Wow - the first replies I get are from old friends for way back. Great to see that you two are still around and giving out the outstanding help that you have been doing for years.

    I have enhanced all the photos on my site as much as it possible in my Designer Pro-X, many of them going back into the 1920's - and most have come out fairly good. A few, not so much but the original I have isn't that good a quality.

    If there has been upgrades in the newer Xara products that would make it worth the cost I would get it but don't want to spend the money unless it would make a good difference as everything I need is in my Designer Pro-X which has no monthly/yearly cost.

    I don't have that many photos - maybe 25 or so but I will check out the programs you have listed.

    Again, tks guys - both of you are an amazing knowledge well for all the Xara products from way back when the first introduced many of the parts of today's program in individual products.

    I will delete my site info.

    Take care and the best for you and your family - jim brown
    - jb

    "A little knowledge is a wonderful thing - sometimes."
    www.brownpotters.com

 

 

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •